Jen catches up with Chris from Chris Cavill and The Prospectors.

In 2015 singer/songwriter Chris Cavill made a successful return to the Australian music scene releasing his most ambitious record to date, ‘Know Your Destiny’. Reinvigorated after a lengthy break from the music business, Cavill re-emerged with his new band, The Prospectors, and toured the album to critical acclaim in the Australian folk/blues scene.

Hi Chris, I found your bio statement onTriple J Unearthed to sum up what I wanted my first question to be for you.

To find oneself – to remove yourself from your current situation, head off in a new direction, and see if you can discover who you really are, what you want out of life and who you want to become. 

You indeed did this. You had a pretty lengthy break and have immerged with a different sound and a different band. The time you spent not being in the music industry what did you do to fill your days?

Wow thank you for your kind words. It’s always nice to look back and see the progression. I spent a few years doing grown up things. I got married, had a son, travelled across southern USA and South East Asia, and finished my teaching degree. All in all it was a really valuable break, filled with a mountain of inspiration which revitalised my love for writing and performing original music.

Do you think that the time spent has shaped you and your band to the sound that you feel best reflects who you are now?

I think it’s definitely lead my songs and our musical style in a direction we are proud of. I feel the route is continuing to discover new ideas and influences along the way though.

Your EP ‘All That You Got’ has dirty blues anthems, crunchy rock ballads (love the Crunchy word to describe the ballads!) is this how you would describe it? Can you give me a few words to describe it to our readers?

Yep, spot on! We’re a bit of a mash-up of many things really. One day I hope to fine-tune ‘us’ in a few words.

 

With your new band, has your writing process changed? Is there input from the rest of the band or is it more of a solo process?

This is the closest band I’ve ever worked with as a solo artist, however I still feel the need to work alone when writing songs. We’re all really open to suggestions with new material and we collaborate well when putting the rhythmic touches and dynamics together.

The artwork for the EP makes a great impact, originally I thought it was a fist in the air, but now I see the cracked wall behind it. Is it meant to say that the clenched fist has punched the wall or am I overthinking it?

It signifies our edgier sound and the positive beliefs within the band. We are all pretty similar dudes with reciprocal values and practical outlooks on life.

 

 

Also is that a real Tattoo? Pretty cool design. I can see diehard fans would get that done.

Haha. No definitely not. But yeah, that would be cool… one day perhaps! For the fans that is. 🙂

 

 

You have started your East Coast Australian tour how have the crowds received your new music?

It was really well received. Eat Street and The Rails in particular were amazing shows! Lots of energy in the crowd with our new harder and more edgier songs, whilst an appreciation for the older folkier tunes in between rocking out.

Was there any stories that you can tell us that happened? Anything go wrong that you can look back on one day and laugh about? (maybe too soon now…)

Sorry to be boring but it all went pretty smoothly actually. Oh wait, couldn’t work out how to get the fuel cap off a brand new VW mini van. The assistant in the petrol station kindly helped us and we were on our merry way – haha!

Ha! This happened to me yesterday in my sons VW. Turns out there is no latch in the car, you just push the cap….

I noticed that the dates have a gap between Byron Bay until the Newcastle, is it your plan to have a bit of a break in Byron Bay? Great place for inspiration and relaxation.

Most definitely, if I didn’t have my family in Melbourne waiting for me to come home. I have a 20 month old son who I simply adore and choose to come home between shows to spend valuable time with him.

You are playing at the Nimbin Roots Festival in September . That will be awesome! Would love to go there again and kick back and enjoy the festival. Are you stoked to be on that lineup?

Absolutely. We are all about the local community and blues/roots festivals. It’s so good to be part of this year’s lineup.

How difficult is it to go on a tour around the country and leave your family behind?

I’d be lying if I said it was easy however I really love what I do and I know that my family is proud of my achievements. I’m a big believer that you make the most of the time you have when you’re together and that sometimes a little time apart makes everything that little bit sweeter.

I really liked you playing ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’ that was cool. I think fans would like some more videos like that. Are there plans to do make some more or is it just a thing you do on a whim?

It’s funny you say that as I just posted a video tonight of me playing ‘Learning’ to my son before his bedtime. I’m extremely grateful to share these opportunities with my family. Watch this here

Thanks for your time Chris. I hope the rest of the tour goes well and I hope to see you in Melbourne.

Jen

Thank you so much Jen, and thanks for taking the time to get to know me with your questions. Please let me know if you can make the Melbourne show. Be great to say g’day! 🙂

 

Twelve months later, Chris Cavill & The Prospectors are back, a whole lot louder and plugged-in.  Shifting from the folk sounds into a more blues-rock direction, the band has gone full electric, translating the high-energy intensity of their live shows into a powerful recording.   Musically inspired by the 70’s rock/grunge era of Neil Young, Tom Petty and Led Zeppelin, their 2016 EP, “All That You Got” (out June 24) yields dirty blues anthems, crunchy rock ballads and a pair of crowd-pleasing and band-favourite covers.  ‘All That You Got’ goes beyond the folk stylings illustrated on last year’s release, showcasing the depth of the band’s influences and abilities.   You can catch the band as they tour the East Coast from end of June and throughout July.  ALL THAT YOU GOT TOUR DATES Thurs June 30 Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall leftysoldtimemusichall.com 15 Craxton St, Brisbane QLD Free entry, 8pm   Friday July 1 The Eat Street Markets eatstreetmarkets.com Macarthur Ave, Hamilton Brisbane QLD Free entry, 5.30pm   Saturday July 2 The Rails therailsbyronbay.com 86 Jonson St, Byron Bay Free entry, 7pm   Friday July 8 The Stag & Hunter thestag.com.au Free entry, 8.30pm   Saturday July 9 Lazybones Lounge lazyboneslounge.com.au 294 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville NSW Tickets $15 @ door, 8.30pm   Friday July 15 The Loft theloftbar.com.au 6/58 Liebig St, Warrnambool VIC Tickets $10 @ door, 8.30pm   Saturday July 16 The Golden Vine facebook.com/goldenvinebendigo 135 King St, Bendigo VIC Free entry, 8pm   Saturday July 23 The Toff In Town With Sammy Owen Blues Band + Old Feather thetoffintown.com 256 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC Tickets $12 + bf/ $15 @ door     MORE INFO facebook.com/chriscavillmusic   Pre-order All That You Got HERE